Summertime – Vacation Time
I am sitting on our boat in the 1000 Islands, just where Lake Ontario ends and the St. Lawrence River starts. The sky is a wonderful blue, incredibly, after this rainy morning. Boats are speeding by creating deep circle-like ridges in the water that come toward us and connect with the boat, angry, pounding, hitting; wham! Every once in awhile, there are gentle waves, soft, enveloping, caressing the fiberglass.
Nearby, a tour boat is leaving its dock, loaded with people, small, big, old, young, dark skinned, blond; we hear a mixture of languages. I wonder, who are they, where are they from, what are their dreams? A little girl excitedly points towards two little islands connected by a small bridge. One of them, the larger one, lies in Canada, the other one in the US. A short bridge connects both: it’s the shortest international bridge in the world, just a few feet long!
I inhale the beauty of the blueish water that is speckled with small islands; sailboats are gliding by gracefully, their sails billowing in the wind, and powerboats are racing each other. Everywhere, people sitting on their patios or beaches feasting their eyes on the spectacular view. Once again, I feel grateful to be here, and my heart opens. The boat feels like a cradle, secure and sturdy.
Memories surface, unbidden yet welcome, of trips here with Dad, years before he died; and of me and my Godmother being on this same tour boat a few years ago when she visited Canada for the first time at the proud age of 82!
This is what my husband and I look forward to every year, a few weeks’ cruising on our beloved “Surf Dancer,” inhaling nature, living nature, embracing the lake’s softness, experiencing and fighting its harshness, its unpredictability; exploring little harbors and villages, connecting with people, and making new friends.
Each time we return home not only rejuvenated; we have spent quality time together, walked, laughed, and filled up our mental and emotional tanks.
What are you passionate about for your vacation, and where and how do you love to spend it? Somewhere in a cottage, with a set of friends? A road trip, perhaps, or visiting loved-ones, close or far away? I’d love to hear from you.
Out Of My Comfort Zone
Out of the blue, an invitation arrives for something that you have never done. Do you run? What are the thoughts whirling through your head, are you panicky, are you welcoming this chance?
I was invited to such an opportunity, to leap out of my comfort zone. I took it and agreed to be co-presenter in an interactive workshop. Together with Louise Veres, coach and founder of Living Your Best we will be talking about “Organizing Solutions For Your Well-Being.” We will show concrete tools and solutions to make changes that will have an impact on your whole life giving you space for what matters most.
Most of today’s business owners are stressed and don’t have enough time to do everything they need to do; there is no time for fun and play. Louise and I have put together easy to implement suggestions and solutions that help you create a more balanced life.
The event will be held at e-Spot in Oakville, ON on June 1, 2011. For details and registration please click here.
We are looking forward to seeing you.
What’s Your Vision?
How do you see your year shaping up? What is your vision for your business, and your personal life?
Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the running of our businesses and lives that we forget to plan, and to focus on our goals. This is when creating a vision board helps to gather thoughts and determine goals.
I did this vision board very recently, and am amazed by its powerful message.
I wonder, have you, dear reader ever created a vision board? And if so, what do you think about it, and what impact did making one have on you?
A Visioning Structure
Where is your business headed this year? What are your goals, and how are you planning to achieve them?
I attended a networking event at e-Spot the other day. These events usually attract anywhere from 4 to around 20 people. I love such small group events, which allow us to learn so much about each other’s business. Every time Grace Attard, coach, owner and proud founder of e-Spot, comes prepared with an exercise for us.
This time we were asked to do a ‘Visioning Structure.’ The exercise left me with a strong vision of my business, and my goals. Grace has graciously allowed me to share the visioning structure with you.
Think about each of the following sentences and fill in the blanks (not every sentence is necessarily applicable to your business.)
- …my company is known for
- …my organization is doing
- …my clients are saying
- …my suppliers are saying
- …the market the company serves counts on my company for
- …my company is changing lives by
Once you have completed the sentences, choose ONE business action that you have not been doing, and which would help you realize our vision. Then, commit to doing this one action repeatedly.
My action for this year is to invest in continuous education.
What is your ONE action that would bring your business close to your vision?
Follow Me!